PORTSMOUTH/TIVERTON — Starting at noon tomorrow, it won't even cost you a dime to cross the Sakonnet River bridge.

All crossings of the Sakonnet River Bridge will be free starting Friday, June 20, at noon, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced today.

After passage of the budget by the R.I. General Assembly that reversed tolling on the bridge, the electronic collection of data will be halted.

Because the bridge is equipped with an all-electronic tolling collection system, termination will be nearly as easy as a flip of a switch.

“We commend the efforts of the General Assembly leaders and Governor Chafee who created solutions that are in the best interests of the entire state,” said Stephen C. Waluk, acting chairman of RITBA. “With the allocation of gas tax funds, we will be able to create a plan of finance for repair and maintenance projects needed to keep all four of the major East Bay bridges in safe and excellent condition.”

In July, the board will vote on collections issues and options for the storage, reuse and/or sale of the toll collection system parts that cannot be used on the Newport Pell Bridge.